The Cleveland Browns ended their season on a high note with back-to-back wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Sunday’s 20-18 win over the Bengals, Browns star defensive player Myles Garrett broke the NFL sack record with 23. Following the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski believes Garrett should win the MVP for his performance.
“That’s history. He’s the sack king. That’s unbelievable,” Stefanski said postgame on Sunday. “They have been playing this game for a long time, and for him to go get that, in the circumstances with the degree of difficulty in which he got it this season, is unbelievable.
“He’s the Defensive Player of the Year. You can make him the MVP. If I had a vote (he’d get it). The reaction of his teammates is genuine, that’s real, these guys care about each other.”
Although Stefanski believes Garrett should be the MVP, it’s unlikely he will. Garrett isn’t even listed as an option on the betting market, as it’s a two-horse race between Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford.
But, before Garrett even broke the sack record, he was locked in as the Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett is a -20000 favorite to win the award, which implies a 99.5% chance of winning the award, but it should be 100%.
Garrett Opens up on Breaking NFL Sack Record
Entering Week 18, Garrett was looking to break the record after he failed to record a sack in Week 17.
Following Garrett setting the sack record, the star pass rusher said it was everything he expected.
“It was everything I expected,” said Garrett postgame. “It was so tough. I knew they were going to make it difficult, but shit, I don’t think I saw more than three singles on a real dropback the whole game. I just knew that if I did, I’d have to make that moment count. The feeling couldn’t be better.”
Garrett, meanwhile, said it was also a dream come true as setting the sack record is something he wanted to do his entire career.
“Find your dreams come true,” Garrett said. “Been waiting on this my whole life, my whole football career. I knew I had it in me. I wanted that 25 (sacks). They made it really difficult these last two games, especially, but really these last three. That’ll be the next journey, trying to go out there and get 25.”
Garrett finished the year with 60 tackles, 23 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in a dominant season.
Stefanski Responds to Potentially Being Fired by Browns
Although Cleveland ended its season on a two-game winning streak, the team is expected to make a coaching change.
It’s been widely reported that the Browns will move on from Stefanski, whether they fire him or trade him. But, after Sunday’s game, he said his only focus was spending time with this current team.
“This game is not about me. I told you guys that. I’m proud of this group,” Stefanski said. … “I’m gonna spend the next 30 minutes celebrating with this team.”
If Stefanski gets fired, he would finish his Browns tenure with a record of 45-56.
Browns’ Stefanski Shares Bold Take on Myles Garrett After Record-Breaking Day